Steelers Get Smacked Right Back To Reality Amid Malik Willis Conversations In 2026 Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck in quarterback purgatory, and 2026 does not look enticing at that position. The best option appears to be free agent Malik Willis, but there are still a ton of red flags and question marks with him. With the recent report of Aaron Rodgers most likely opting for retirement, the fourth-year backup immediately becomes one of the favorites to be the Week 1 starter for Pittsburgh. There's always the idea of "try everything until something works," and that may be the case here. 

While making an appearance on The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny, NFL insider Field Yates spoke about Willis being a great option for the Steelers before smacking them right back to reality about who they really are, with or without him.

"I think the Steelers with Malik Willis are still maybe the second- or third-best team in their own division," Yates said. "We'll see how things shake out with Cincinnati, specifically, this offseason. I do think Baltimore will be back on track next year."

There is no doubt that the Steelers have a ton of holes on the roster, and the new coaching hire received less-than-stellar reviews to say the least. At the end of the day, they are not a quarterback away from being an AFC contender, let alone a Super Bowl contender. Signing Willis may help, but there are numerous issues that need to be fixed before they can even think about winning a playoff game. 

While the Steelers did win the AFC North in 2025, that was less about them being great and more about their entire division imploding on itself due to injuries and drama. Even then, they almost missed the postseason entirely, but they got bailed out by a missed field goal in the final seconds of the regular season to clinch the division and host a playoff game, where they got ran out of their own stadium. 

As Yates said, the Baltimore Ravens should be back to form, especially with quarterback Lamar Jackson healing up from his injury that seemed to linger throughout the entire season. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals still have arguably the most talented offense in the league, and a healthy year mixed with an improved defense could put them back in the fold. The division won't be gifted to Pittsburgh for a second straight year.

If the Steelers do sign Willis, he may be the best quarterback that they have had since Ben Roethlisberger, but that still is not enough. He has to continue developing and show that he is more than a backup that is thriving off of a couple of good games and a severe lack of quality passers available. On top of that, Pittsburgh has to surround him with all kinds of talent. If they want him to do great, they have to help him out as much as possible.

Steelers' Needs To Support A Quarterback

The first and most obvious thing is wide receiver. DK Metcalf proved that he can't carry the passing game alone in 2025. They need more wide receivers to fit the new scheme, as well as give the future quarterback options, whether it's Willis or someone else. With all the draft capital and cap space they have, they need to put extra emphasis on that position and build up a core that could last a decade. 

The left side of the offensive line also has some question marks. At very least, it would be helpful to bring in some sort of competition and make everyone on that side fight for the right to get a snap. The whole unit has taken steps forward individually, but they have not gelled well together. There needs to be some more certainty at those spots to help out all the young studs on the other side.

What do you think about the Steelers still being a mid-tier team in the AFC North with or without Willis? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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